Obituary of Elfa Mae McDonald

Elfa Mae (Carpenter) McDonald, 81, of Valois, NY, passed away on Saturday, June 16, 2018 at Bethany Manor. Elfa was a lifelong resident of Reading, PA, where she lived with the "love of her life", the late Pappy Lerch of Reading, PA. Elfa was born in Candor, NY on January 26, 1937, one of five children. She was the daughter of the late Arthur and Helen (Gallow) Carpenter and was predeceased by her brother Maurice Duane Carpenter. Elfa worked at Willson Safety Products of Reading, PA and she also worked at Willard State Hospital in Willard, NY for many years. Elfa loved animals great and small, her home, gardening, ceramics, bowling, crocheting and knitting. Elfa will be forever loved and missed by all who loved her. "Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk to me as if I were beside you. I loved you all." Elfa is survived by her brother, Alvie Carpenter (Ann Preston)of Peterborough, New Hampshire; her two sisters, Gloria Pangallo of Montour Falls, NY, and Mary (John) Doyle of Valois, NY; along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Elfa is also survived by, and was a devoted loving grandmother to, Diana Ngyen; and great grandmother to Samuel Mendez Nguyen, Camden Nguyen, Rosa Perez; friends, Phi Phung and Sammy Mendez, Sr. and family residing in Reading, PA. Funeral services will be private at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in Seneca Union Cemetery in Valois, NY.